A delegation from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, paid a courtesy call on the National Executives of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) to present copies of a strategy document aimed at promoting gender equality in the Ghanaian media landscape.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Rosemond Aryeetey, Project Lead for the initiative, also included Mr. Paul Gozo. They were received by PRINPAG’s Vice President, Mr. Michael Antwi-Agyei, who led a team of Executive Committee members comprising Mr. Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Executive Secretary; Mr. Emmanuel Opare Gyan, Organizing Secretary; and Ms. LangFordia Amenyah, National Treasurer.
Project Overview
The gender equality project of the MFWA, which began some three years ago in collaboration with Canal France International (CFI), seeks to address gender imbalances in media content and newsroom practices across Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The project involved extensive stakeholder engagements with media associations, journalists, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, and policy makers.
Mrs. Aryeetey explained that the initiative resulted in the development of a “Strategy Document on Promoting Gender Equality in the Ghanaian Media,” which was officially launched two weeks ago. The document is designed to provide practical and actionable steps for media organizations to implement gender-sensitive policies and content.
She noted that the pilot phase of the project was implemented in four selected media houses and is currently under evaluation for potential nationwide expansion.
PRINPAG’s Commitment
Receiving the document on behalf of PRINPAG, Vice President Antwi-Agyei expressed the Association’s gratitude to the MFWA for the initiative. He assured the delegation that PRINPAG is committed to disseminating the document to its members and encouraging its practical application across newsrooms of privately owned newspapers and online news portals in Ghana.
“Though we have very few female publishers within our association, we recognize the importance of gender equality in news reporting and newsroom operations. We will ensure that this document is not left on the shelf but put to effective use,” Mr. Antwi-Agyei pledged.
Executive Secretary of PRINPAG, Mr. Wilson Kingson, also acknowledged the limited participation of women in the news publishing industry and called for deliberate efforts to support and encourage more women to venture into media entrepreneurship.
He suggested that PRINPAG will consider organizing formal presentations of the document during gatherings of the Association to enhance accessibility and understanding, among members.
Next Steps
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for continuous engagement between MFWA and PRINPAG to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy. Discussions also focused on mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating gender representation in news content, tracking progress in newsrooms, and supporting women-led media outlets.
National Organizer of PRINPAG, Mr. Opare Gyan, called for support mechanisms to motivate and empower women in the news publishing sector, including the development of female-led newspapers and online news portals.
The presentation is a significant step towards promoting gender equality in Ghana’s media industry, with both MFWA and PRINPAG committing to transforming the strategy document from a mere guideline into a practical tool for driving positive change in the media landscape.
